2023
Reserve Claret

Claret has long represented the pinnacle of the Matthews style, a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend inspired by the great wines of Bordeaux and shaped by the distinct terroirs of Washington State. Our Reserve Claret takes that philosophy one step further, selecting only the most compelling barrels from our finest vineyard lots to create a wine of exceptional depth, structure, and longevity.

After several vintages defined by weather extremes, 2023 brought a welcome return to rhythm in the Columbia Valley. Typical yields, steady ripening, and a relatively predictable harvest gave our vineyard and winemaking teams something increasingly rare: time. Warm summer days built concentration, while cooler conditions approaching harvest slowed ripening and preserved freshness, allowing Cabernet Sauvignon and its blending partners to develop flavor and phenolic maturity without pressure. Great wine simply came more naturally in 2023.

The 2023 Reserve Claret draws from vineyards across the Columbia Valley, including Quintessence, Shaw, and Canyons on Red Mountain; Solaksen and Scarline on the Royal Slope; Conner Lee in the Columbia Valley; and Wallula Gap, Phinny Hill, Milt’s, and Spice Cabinet in the Horse Heaven Hills. Each site contributes a distinct layer to the final wine, creating a broad expression of Cabernet Sauvignon across some of Washington’s most celebrated growing regions.

Hand-harvested fruit was fermented for 14 days in 100% oak barrels, followed by more than 30 days of extended contact with the grape skins to build color, texture, and structure. The wine was then aged for 23 months in 100% new oak before the final barrels were selected and blended. Just 400 cases were produced.